2 yr old afraid of bath

[Trix]

It all started last week when i put my daughter in the bath and the plug must of moved slightly and a tiny bit of water sucked down the drain causing a squeaking sound. She was sooo afraid i had to take her out of the bath.

Well i've got a new plug and she still refuses to go into the bath.

I've had to wash her with a washcloth each day but haven't been able to wash her hair.

I tried her in the shower - but she's also scared of the drain in there.

I've tried bribes, new toys, bubble bath, forcing her in the bath (which made her hysterical) - everything!!

She's a very stubborn girl so i'm not sure what to do anymore!!

Anyone have any advice??

[UmmInayah]

Could you bath/shower with her? Maybe you could sit closest to the drain if you're in the bath?

[Mariposa]

I had problems with DD1 when she was younger, it was a little phase that she went through as nothing had happened like the plug with your DD.

I am also experiencing it again now with DD3, she started 4 days ago absolutely screaming not wanting to go in at all.

I am hoping it will end soon for your DD as well as mine.

[Trix]

I'm going to try the shower with her tomorrow morning. But she refuses to let me in the bath with her.

I tried putting my nephew in the bath with her a couple of nights ago - normally she LOVED bathing and splashing away with him - but this time she again was hysterical that he was in the bath - as if she were afraid he were going to get sucked down the drain.

I will try the shower tomorrow - but i'm getting myself ready for a struggle.

[Amused]

DS has developed a fear of the bath of late too, but he loves the shower. We have been forcing him to go in, but bit by bit I am emptying my tupperware cupboard into the bath just to distract him Mind you, it doesn't mean he doesn't fight going in, it just helps once he is in.

I really have no advice, just an understanding ear that knows what a struggle it is

Could you take her into the bathroom and have her watch what happens when you switch the water on as it goes down the drain. Get her to watch as you pour water down the drain, get her to have a go. Get her to watch what happens when a toy gets sucked toward the drain but not down. You could even show her in the kitchen sink first and gradually, over time, graduate to the bath...

[Electric Rodeo]

Hi,
My eldest has always hated the bath, DS2 loves it! So weird.
Hope this doesn't sound dumb but my boys often had baths in those small tubs, the ones a bit bigger than buckets with a wider top and half the height. We are on a farm and have had limited water for some time so this was a regular thing. I would put it inside the big bath so they could splash around still , but there is no plug so you DS may not get as scared, you wouldn't even have to put it in the bath, just anywhere you didn't mind some water on the floor. My DS1 was hysterical when he got out of the bath tonight too, I was draining the water as the only way to get DS2 out is to pull the plug. He was so scared for him, there must be something with the age. HTH

[miloand4]

When my kids went through this stage I bought a little plastic blow up pool and put it in the bathroom and bathed them in that till they were ready to go back in the big bath. Or you could use the baby bath if you still have it. I passes but at this age it is very scary to think you may get sucked down the plughole with the water

[EsSjAy]

My little one hates the bath all of a sudden also but i haven't a clue why..... But as for your case of the 'dreaded' drain.... I had this problem with my eldest and bought the little bath tablets that turned the water a different color (non-toxic and doesn't stain the skin...and lots of bubbles.... LOL!!! This seemed to work for me.... Unfortunately when they see the water going down that plug it's something they remember for a very long time.... I just tried everything to distract him from it and the colored water helped alot.... You can get them from most stores like, safeway/woolworths, BIG W etc....
Hope this helps....

[wattlebird]

I was just about to post a similar thread!!

My DD is 12 months old - and for some reason (unknown to us) she HATES the bath. She used to love it - would splash and splash - but for the past week or two is hysterical. Even when I'm running the bath.... I hope its just a phase.

Good luck with it - at least you know you're not the only one!!!!

[LizzardLover]

Anyone have any advice??

If you have a suction cup non slip bathmat thing, put that in OVER the plug. If she cant see the plug she might forget it's there??

Maybe get her to help you to bath her dollies/teddies with her OUT of the bath just leaning in.